Thu, 08 May 2025

Thu, 08 May 2025 Apple hits back at US judge's 'extraordinary' contempt order

The legal battle - started by Epic Games - could determine the future of the highly lucrative App Store.

* Apple is seeking a stay on a US district judge's ruling that found the company wilfully violated an order to allow outside payment options in the App Store.
* Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers' finding was based on internal documents that showed Apple deliberately interfered with competition.
* The ruling stems from an antitrust case filed by Epic Games, which accused Apple of possessing an illegal monopoly and preventing developers from offering alternative payment options.
* Apple claims that the order is unlawful and will cost the company "substantial sums annually".
* The judge's contempt order also found that CEO Tim Cook ignored executive Phillip Schiller's advice to comply with the injunction, and instead allowed CFO Luca Maestri to convince him not to.
* Epic Games says Judge Gonzalez Rogers' ruling has already benefited consumers by allowing developers to offer better payment options and deals.
* Apple removed Fortnite from its App Store in 2020 after Epic unveiled an in-app payment system, leading to the current court battle between the two companies.
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